For most people, St Patrick’s Day is a day of parades, parties, leprechauns and green beer. But, just as Christmas is about more than commercialised fun, so too does St Patrick’s Day have a deeper meaning.

St Patrick’s Day began as a religious holiday honouring St Patrick – a holy bishop sent to Ireland in 433AD by Pope Celestine I to draw its people into the fold of Christ’s universal church. Upon his arrival on Ireland’s shores, St Patrick encountered many setbacks and persecutions by the superstitious Druids, who had employed magicians to maintain their sway over the Irish race. Despite severe trials, St Patrick was able to convert all of Ireland and conquer paganism. He is thus credited with driving the Celtic “snakes” out of Ireland.

St Patrick is credited with many miracles and is responsible for the building of several Catholic schools, monasteries and churches throughout Ireland. He is known for his powerful expositions of the principles of the Catholic faith. He even employed the ordinary, little, three-leaved shamrock plant to teach people about the Blessed Trinity. He was called to his heavenly reward on 17 March 461.

St Patrick was a humble, pious gentle man, whose love and total devotion to and trust in God should be a shining example to each of us. He feared nothing, not even death – so complete was his trust in God and the importance of his mission.

Paul Kokoski

Hamilton, Ontario

Canada